The road starts on the A183 at Houghton Gate, near Bournmoor. It heads southeast past the village and then picks up the B1284 on the right as it enters Fence Houses. There is now a multiplex through the village.

The road crosses the disused Leamside railway line at what used to be a level crossing; after the line was closed the tracks were removed from the tarmac and have now been removed completely. The road goes along Front Street into High Dubmire, where it TOTSOs left with the B1284 regaining its number and continuing ahead. The A1052 then continues on to Houghton-le-Spring where it ends at a GSJ with the A690. The A182 is also met here; that road is followed to access the northbound A690.